The Can Do Artist was created because of Ben, my son. Even though Ben happens to have Down Syndrome, it doesn’t define who he is. He’s a spunky, creative kind of guy that loves to make people laugh. Yes, he’s a teenager. His favorite thing to do is to draw and make art. As he is getting older, we’ve been thinking more about his future. He tells me he wants to be an artist. So, that’s what he is going to be! In all reality, we all should be able to be exactly who we want to be. Regardless of what abilities you have, you are talented!
This is how our family business came to grow. Rather than looking at what he can’t do, we focus on what he can do-and there is a lot! Ben has always loved to draw and create, so the Can Do Artist was a great way to share not only Ben’s art, but for us to share with everyone the abilities of people with special needs.
Here at Can Do Artist, we are proud to share with you about how we make our products! Ben, the Can Do Artist and our family make all of the products we offer. We screenprint the shirts in our home studio, and heat press them to cure the ink onto the shirts so all of our Can Do Artist brand shirts will continue to look awesome for years. Ben is actively involved in the whole process.
We make the pins at our kitchen table. Ben loves to assemble and snap the pieces of the pins together with his sisters and brother, when he’s not busy drawing and working on new designs. Strangely enough, our kids actually argue with each other on who gets to make them, they think its so cool! (Now, if they would just be willing to do their chores…. but that’s another story.)
Ben is so proud to be designing and making things. Being creative and included in something is so important to him. Sharing his art with the world makes him smile from ear to ear. Can Do Artist is Ben’s way of expressing himself, and we want you to see for yourself just how awesome he is. And hey, you might just find your new favorite shirt!
Can Do Artist was recently on the news! You can see our studio here and learn more about why we created the Can Do Artist. Click Here to Watch!